What are the consequences of hitting sidewalk curb at low speed?
 

Well today when driving my '82 300D Turbo in the first snowfall of the season I braked for a turn and my car skidded to the right and I hit the sidewalk curb. I was going about 30km/hr when the front left wheel hit the curb. So I got out and looked at it. A part of the outside edge is scratched and a there is a tiny dent. It's only noticeable if you look closely. So I parked it and on the way back home it drove fine except for an odd sound I heard for a couple of seconds while driving 80km/hr. It sounded like it was coming from the hit wheel. So my question is what damage was done to the car? I can't imagine that this did any good for the alignment, but what about the wheel bearings, front suspension, etc?

Probably no serious damage. You should take a look at all the control arms on the top and bottom of the wheel to make sure none of them broke.

I had the same thing happen last season with a light pickup - about the same speed, I couldn't stop on ice for an intersection and headed for the curb. I was worried for awhile but soon forgot all about it - no ill effects. In fact your mention of your mishap jarred my memory about mine - I had forgotten all about it.

My guess is all you did was scratch the wheel.

Ken300D

Heh, I had a similar experience with my VW, except it was during a really bad rain storm (well after one). I was going through a tight turn when the car started hydroplaning, luckily I was on the outside so I just slid in to the curb (when I started skidding I tryed to counter it, but my attempts proved useless), popped up onto it and came to a halt. I threw it into 1st and eased it off the curb, took it easy so I could feel if there was any damage, there wasn't any, so I drove merrily on my way. When I got to my friends house I got a good look at everything. There was a small scrape on the rim (std VW steel rims) and a chunk of curb.

Thank goodness for solid German Engineering, I'd hate to see what would have happened to a Honda, it woulda probably taken off the front spoiler :D


Anyways, I doubt there's much of a problem if you hit the curb at a proper angle.

Did some one mentioned HONDA!!?? (Looks at my Sig for hints).. :D :D :D

You shouldn't worry too much if the car drives fine... that is, no vibration at high speed, steering wheel is center... etc.

Andy Kuo